ASTI:

Town in the province of Alessandria, Italy, on the left bank of the Tanaro; population 32,000. Although now of no great importance, in the Middle Ages Asti was a center of commerce and the capital of one of the most powerful republics of northern Italy. Owing to the relative freedom that prevailed in Asti, the major part of the French Jews expelled in 1322 by Charles IV. (compare Isidore Löb, in "Grätz-Jubelschrift," pp. 39 et seq.) took refuge there, and adopted the French ritual called (from the initials of Asti, Fassano, and Monclavo, where it is employed) "Rite Afm," which has been retained to the present day. The eighteenth of Iyyar is especially celebrated in Asti, on which day hymns composed by Joseph Conzio are recited. A special Seder for Passover evening service for Asti was written by Elia Levi.